About one-half of the divorce and family law cases our lawyers handle are venued in Hennepin County. Located in downtown Minneapolis, the Hennepin County Family Justice Center provides a central hub for all sorts of resources for litigants doing through a divorce, custody dispute, or domestic abuse proceeding. The nice thing about Hennepin County is that there are a number of terrific resources available outside the four walls of the courthouse as well.

Here’s our “best of” list of helpful Hennepin County divorce and family law links:

Hearing Transcript Contact Information: Instructions for obtaining a court transcript. The vast majority of Hennepin County judges and referees to not have a “live” court reporter. Rather, all proceedings are digitally recorded.

Minnesota divorce attorneys have an emerging resource to rely upon in preparing their cases, and it’s coming straight from the bench. Anoka County District Court Judge Alan Pendleton’s blog, entitled “Pendleton’s Judicial Training Updates,” has now captured national attention from legal commentator and author Robert Ambrogi – and for good reason.

Whether custody, child support, personal property disputes, the involvement of children in a court proceeding, or family law motions in general, Pendleton offers the analytical framework utilized by the bench, in a rather user-friendly format. The nice thing is that the issues he addresses tend to be those causing some confusion for lawyers.

For example, our attorneys routinely debate how, and whether, to involve a child within a particular case. Pendleton provides insight relative to a highly sensitive question.

In addition to family law proceedings, Pendleton’s blog provides insight concerning domestic abuse proceedings, appeals, contempt, and the rules of evidence. Most posts provide an easy-to-navigate summary of a particular legal issue. The information provided certainly doesn’t dive into the minutia but, rather, offers a starting point for analysis.

Moreover, Pendleton offers links to the most common resources relied upon by lawyers and judges, including the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure, the Minnesota Rules of Evidence, and the Minnesota Rules of Appellate Procedure. Attorneys should strongly consider bookmarking the blog for that reason alone. Frankly, new lawyers should read every post on his site.

Pendleton’s work is one of a small number of blogs authored by District Court Judges in Minnesota. Anyone can subscribe, either by e-mail or RSS feed. Cutting-edge stuff, and a trend this author hopes continues.

Thanks to Mark Pfenning, a divorce lawyer and author who has published many articles geared toward helping parties through the divorce process. His recent article, Divorce Courtroom Tips, provides some helpful strategies and a useful summary of the basic rules of decorumin family court. Here’s what Mark has to say:

Settle Some Things. This means the judge won’t be in control of everything.

Expect Unfavorable Decisions. There are three directions the judge can go when making a decision: Your way, your spouse’s way, or the Judge’s way. As you can see, two out three are not in your favor.

Let Your Divorce Attorney Do the Talking. Do not speak unless asked to do so by the Judge.

Respect is an Absolute. When addressing the Judge with respect by addressing him/her as “Your Honor.”

Don’t Address Your Spouse. Never speak to or make comments to your spouse when you are before the Judge.

Check Your Emotions at the Door. Do not make faces or gestures when the judge or your spouse’s attorney is speaking. Judges see this and do not appreciate it.

Dress for the Occasion. Your attorney will have a certain strategy on how he/she wants you to be portrayed. Therefore, consult your attorney on how he/she wants you to dress.

Write. Don’t leave anything to chance. Your attorney will be very busy during the process and cannot remember or write everything down.

Come Prepared. Bring as much information, documentation and any pertinent documents that you possibly can with you. It is better to have too much ammunition than not enough.

Be Ready to Wait. You will sometimes wait for hours before your case is called.

Good suggestions. We would also suggest leaving all digital devices in the car.We recall a lawyer whose cell phone rang in the middle of his intense cross examination of our client in a recent trial. The more memorable impression was the expression on the judge’s face.